Today may mark the beginning of the end for console disc drives. Sony finally releases the $699.99 PS5 Pro, and while it looks like an impressive machine, it’s the first PlayStation console Require If you want to play physical games, you’ll need to buy a console and a separate disc drive.
Sony has offered disc-less versions before, and it’s taking a step in that direction with the PS5 “slim,” where you can buy a separate disc drive connected or add one later. But with the PS5 Pro, you have to buy a separate PS5 optical drive, whether that means buying it for $79.99 or swapping the optical drive from the slim PS5 to the PS5 Pro.
It’s like Apple removing the CD drive again
Sony and Microsoft appear to be testing the waters of going fully digital with the PlayStation 6 and next-generation Xbox, or at least offering separate disc drives. It’s like Apple removing the disc drive again.
I have mixed feelings about the possible future move toward discless drives. I moved to a completely digital game library a long time ago because I like switching games without having to swap discs, and I don’t have enough space in my house for physical boxes. Very convenient!
We’ll have to wait a few years, possibly the next full console generation, to see how far Sony and Microsoft are willing to go down the disc-free path. At least for Xbox, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently said the company’s strategy “doesn’t depend on people going all-digital” and that “moving away from physical” is “very important to us.” It’s not a strategic matter.” On the other hand, Spencer noted that “most” customers buy games digitally, so it might just be a matter of time.
But now, what if you want to buy Sony’s best PlayStation PS5 Pro and want to play games on disc? Budget accordingly. The disc drive retails for $79.99.
